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Work Requirement Policy Resources

EO Guidance Document #
FNS-GD-2020-0067
Resource type
Policy Memos
Guidance Documents
Resource Materials
ABAWD Policy Resources

Here are some resources to find out more about SNAP ABAWDs and related information.

ABAWD Discretionary Exemptions

Federal law provides that each state SNAP agency be allotted a number of exemptions equal to 12 percent of the state's caseload that is ineligible for program benefits because of the ABAWD time limit. Prior to FY 2020, the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 allocated exemptions equal to 15 percent of the state's caseload that is ineligible for program benefits because of the ABAWD time limit. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 reduced the allocation to 12 percent for FY 2020 and each subsequent fiscal year. Moving forward, the Department will refer to these exemptions as discretionary exemptions.

These exemptions allow the state agency, at its discretion, to extend SNAP eligibility to a limited number of ABAWDs subject to the time limit. Each discretionary exemption extends eligibility to one ABAWD for one month. As per federal law, FNS calculates and issues state agencies with a new allotment for each federal fiscal year. State agencies do not earn new discretionary exemptions based on areas that are covered by ABAWD time limit waivers in the preceding fiscal year.

Updated: 09/28/2022

The contents of this guidance document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.